The Dorothy Kaplan Book Group

The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1pm in the Conference Room at the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Contact our Library Specialist by email or phone (402) 334-6464.

Dorothy KaplanNovember 15, 1979 marked the debut of the Jewish Federation Library Book Discussion Group, later renamed the “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.” In association with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Library, a group of dedicated women, including the late “library diva” Dorothy Kaplan z”l, began the club. It is believed that throughout the country this is the oldest Jewish book group in continuous existence. The group selects books with Jewish content and/or books written by Jewish authors which are designed to appeal to readers of different ages and tastes. With the diversity of topics – everything from poetry and mysteries to science fiction and biographies – and with occasional guest facilitators, including authors, today’s “Dorothy Kaplan Book Group” offers something for everyone. The group welcomes new members.

The Dorothy Kaplan Book Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1pm in the Wiesman Family Reception Room at the Jewish Federation of Omaha. There is no cost to join and there is always an insightful exchange of observations, opinions and critiques during the group meetings.

Contact our Library Specialist by email or phone (402) 334-6464.

CURRENT BOOK SELECTION

MARCH 2026

The Paris Daughter | by Kristin Harmel

Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the day they meet in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Though there is a shadow of war creeping across Europe, neither woman suspects that their lives are about to irrevocably change.

When Elise becomes a target of the German occupation, she entrusts Juliette with the most precious thing in her life—her young daughter, playmate to Juliette’s own little girl. But nowhere is safe in war, not even a quiet little bookshop like Juliette’s Librairie des Rêves, and, when a bomb falls on their neighborhood, Juliette’s world is destroyed along with it.

When the war finally ends, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend’s bookstore reduced to rubble—and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to her daughter in those last, terrible moments? Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise’s desperate search leads her to New York—and to Juliette—one final, fateful time.

Upcoming 2026 Selections

May | Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

 

2026 Selections

Jan | Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

Past Selections

2025 Selections

Jan  |  Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer

Feb  |  The Auschwitz Detective by Jonathan Dunsky

Mar  |  The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom

May  | Not Quite Kosher by Stuart Kaminsky

June | The Dinner Party by Brenda Janowitz

July | The Outside World by Tova Mirvis

August | An Unorthodox Match by Naomi Ragen

September | Fifth Avenue Glamor Girl by Renee Rosen

October | Half Life by Jillian Canto

2024 Selections

Feb  |  As Close to Us as Breathing by Elizabeth Poliner

Mar |  We were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

May |  You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer

Jun |  The Yid: A Novel by Paul Goldberg

Jul |  Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner

Aug |  The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Sep |  Queen for a Day by Maxine Rosaler

Nov |  Ethel Rosenberg: An American Tragedy by Anne Sebba

Dec |  A Jewish Girl in Paris by Melanie Levensohn